North

Grade: Moderate

Length: 48km

Starting Point: The Rose Hotel

End Point:

The is a 48-kilometre linear walking route through the northern part of in the south-west of Ireland, starting at The Rose Hotel and ending in the town of Ballyheigue.

While not as well-known as the Iveragh or Peninsula, North Kerry has much to offer, including spectacular seascapes, the finest beaches in Ireland and a multitude of ancient sites, churches and field monuments.

1. to Spa circa. 7km

The route starts at The Rose Hotel taking a left on the Dan Spring Road, walk past the Aqua Dome and The Wetlands crossing the road to walk on the right bank of the Canal past Bridge with its traditional windmill. Veer right and go through the swing gates. Follow the path inside the sea ramp and turn left at the next swing gate. Walk inside and on top of the sea ramp to Spa village. This route brings you along the sea wall at the back of and will bring you right into Spa Village.

Fun Facts

• The Canal Walkway what was once the tow path of the Tralee Shop Canal opened in 1846 and was used as a supply line to Tralee by freighters for over 100 years • Blennerville Windmill, Ireland’s largest working Windmill, is a tower mill and the tallest of its kind in Europe at 21.3 meters high.

2. Spa to Banna circa. 12km

Take the road rising gently northwards from the Oyster Tavern. This section can be busy so please take care. At the old house turn left on to the laneway and left again at its end. Leave the road by grassy track heading westwards. Cross the Sand Dunes to emerge on the beach. Turn right for Banna. The route is flat except for the last few kilometres where there are some short ascents, with an aggregate climb of 370 metres. The route heads out of the village of Spa and it goes cross country onto the white sands of .

Fun Facts

• Before going down on to the beach, stand for a moment on the dune and look westwards over the ocean. The promontory on the right is Kerry Head. • Banna Strand is a blue flag beach and is a popular bathing resort with a lifeguard service during the summer months.

3. Banna to Ballyheigue circa. 6.5km

Stay on the beach leaving Banna until a sign indicates a turn right through the Sand Hills to a surfaced track. After 350 metres turn left on to Cúl Trá. Follow the grass track across Cúl Trá. Keep Tyshe River on your right. Cross a small bridge and go straight on to a short lane. At its end is a narrow sluice viaduct. Cross it and reach the beach by a track over the sand dune. Turn right. It is easy to walk on the stand here except at very high tide. This route heads out of the white sands of Banna Strand to reach the village of Ballyheigue and the beginning of a scenic mountainous area on Kerry Head, which it loops around before finishing at Ballyheigue. The terrain consists of mainly firm beach sand and calm country tracks.

Fun Facts

• Cúl Trá – The Back Strand is a flat heath which contains a rabbit warren and in spring and summer skylarks fill the air with song. • Ballyheigue Bay shoals a long way out resulting in many ships having foundered here. At certain times of the year and depending on the tides, their timbers can be sighted projecting from the sand. The most famous wreck associated with the Bay is the ‘Golden Lyon’- a cargo ship on a voyage from Copenhagen to India with a cargo that included twelve large chests of silver bullion. The captain and crew all managed to get safely ashore, as well as all the bullion! • Ballyheigue is a popular seaside resort where refreshments and accommodation are available. Dominating the village and giving it a distinctive character is the castle ruin. It was built in the early 1800’s on the site of an older mansion and remained the residence of the Crosbie family, (local landlords) until it burned down in 1921. In recent years the grounds have been turned into a golf course.

Guided directions can be found by downloading the Tralee Chamber App via the App Store or Google Store.

Why not enquire about our picnics from reception before embarking on this wonderful walk!

#explorethekingdom #fromthestepsoftherosehotel